Ikat Fabric: How A Thread Connecting The Globe

Are we ill-informed about Desi Fabrics up to an extent that we don’t know how to wear our culture on our sleeves?

Ikat is an exquisite form of dyeing in which weaving of yarn has to be done after the Coloring. Resist is formed by binding the yarn with a tight wrapping of desired pattern and then dying is performed on it.

It is distinct from other fabrics, processed through techniques of dying namely tie dye & batik which use the resist on to the woven clothes rather than yarn. There is a wide range of Ikat fabric in India depending upon various techniques used in various patterns.

Ikat Fabric: How a thread connecting the Globe

Designs vary according to cultural nuances of different regions and traditional methods of weaving. Origin of Ikat technique of dyeing is believed to be in Southeast Asia & India but as it is practiced across all over the world now, its a global fabric connecting the traditional crafts of various countries like Indonesia, Cambodia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Egypt, Peru, Syria, Spain etc. It is remarkable to see how entire world connects with this one fabric.

Double Ikat fabric includes even more industrious form of weaving in which the coloring of both warp and weft threads is done using tie-dye technique to get the singular patterns on final produce.

At ongoing World Ikat Exhibition in Delhi curated by World Craft Council Asia Pacific Region running from 1 to 16 September, Weavers, craft-person & designers from almost 28 countries will be showcasing the myriad of evolved practices linked with Ikat fabric & the patterns reflecting the glimpse of their cultural distinctions.

The expiation brings a swell of opportunity for couture enthusiasts and also for young designers to learn the nuances of resistance dyeing technique.

Besides Ikat, the exhibition showcases the other types indigenous & international fabrics like Patola & Jamadani of Gujarat, Kasuri of Japan, Ulos of Sumatara, Rebozos of Mexico, Ponchos of Argentina and so on..

Despite having a rich tradition of weaving, dyeing & even block printing like Ajrakh, Bagru, Bagh print, Dabu and many others from various states, we don’t seem to wear such a vibrant culture on our sleeves because still a large section of our society is ignorant of its own culture no matter how much they rant about being Indian and all such sloganeering.